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The 24 Solar Terms

Solar Terms is a calendar that was established in ancient China and is based on astronomical, climatologic and agricultural meteorological knowledge, with its main use to guide farm work. The 24 Solar Terms reflect the change of seasons and dictate people's agricultural activities. Generally, it has influenced Chinese people's fundamental routine of life for thousands of years.

OriginThere was an initial calendar created according to both the solar variation and the lunar cycle during the Warring States period and the Spring and Autumn period. However, China was an agricultural society then and agricultural activities were totally in accordance with solar variation. On this account, in the Qin Dynasty, people set up a calendar with 24 Solar Terms according to the sun's position on the ecliptic. In the West Han Dynasty, Emperor Wu of Han ordered his ministers to establish a full calendar, the "Taichu Calendar", and officially included the 24 Solar Terms as well as verifying the astronomical position of each term.

Dividing basis of the 24 Solar TermsAncient Chinese people divided the ecliptic equally into 24 segments, and each segment occupies 15 degrees, forming a 360 degree circle as a whole year. As the periods of the sun move from one segment to the next they are almost equal, with the dates of the 24 Solar Terms calculated on the basis of the solar calendar.

Name and meaning of the 24 Solar TermsThe 24 segments were named according to the climate, weather and an astronomical phenomenon. For instance, some of the terms reflect the change of seasons, such as the Beginning of Spring, the Beginning of Summer; some indicate the turning points of the direct sunlight point, such as Vernal Equinox, Summer Solstice; some reflect the climatic phenomenon, such as the Waking of Insects and Grain Buds and some indicate the change of climate like Rain Water and Minor Heat. Conventionally, Chinese people regard the Beginning of Spring as the first term of a Chinese Lunar Year. Detailed information about the 24 Solar Terms is shown in the following tables.